Women?s Golf Claims Puerto Rico Classic Title
2/26/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
RIO GRANDE, Puerto Rico ?? The No. 16-ranked Alabama women's golf team capped off its first tournament of the spring with a team title. The Tide rallied from fourth place to beat out LSU and Kent State with the best round of the day to capture the Lady Puerto Rico Classic championship. Alabama shot a final round score of 290 (+2) to finish the tournament with a final score of 880 (+16).
"I can't say we did anything different today," head coach Mic Potter said. "When we finished, I thought we had to shoot at least par to win. It all worked out. This will give us confidence and we now know what it takes to win."
Alabama finished with three golfers in the top 10 and beat out four teams ranked in the top 10 in the Golfweek rankings. Overall, the Tide beat out 14 teams ranked in the top 50, including No. 5 Florida and No. 6-ranked Arkansas.
Kathleen Ekey stayed consistent over the course of the three rounds to place tied for seventh with a two-over-218. Ekey used a one-over-73 in the final round to help lead the Tide to victory.
Senior Sarah Sturm had the best round of the tournament for Alabama. Sturm closed out the classic with a one-under-71 to finish with a four-over-220 in a tie for 10th.
Sophomore Rhea Nair tied teammate Sturm with a four-over-220. Nair used an even-par-72 in the final round to crack the top-10.
"Being able to have (assistant coach) Susan (Rosenstiel) walk along Rhea may have won us the tournament," Potter said. "She was able to keep Rhea calm and confident throughout the round and it showed on the scorecard."
Freshman Camilla Lennarth finished tied for 26th overall with an eight-over-224. Lennarth tied her best round of the tournament with a final day score of two-over-74.
Sophomore Helena Blomberg rounded out the Tide with a 16-over-232, to finish 65th overall. Blomberg shot a final round score of nine-over-81.
"I now feel if we get into position and take care of our own business we have a chance," Potter said. "We are going to have to reevaluate our expectations now."
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